HE has worked 18 hours a day, seven days a week, with just six days leave, saving lives and keeping the peace in Iraq.

And for Sam Schofield, having his dad home after four and half months is the best birthday present he could have ever asked for.

Sam celebrates his 11th birthday on November 12 and dad Mark, 40, has arrived back just in time.

Mark, who has been in the Territorial Army for 13 years, was as surprised as anyone when he was called up for only the second time during his career.

The father-of-two said: "This has been a very good team-building experience with an incredible amount of hard work."

He was surprised when his call-up papers came through but said that if needed, he would definitely do it all again.

"I am only too pleased to be back with my family and I am really looking forward to having a proper Christmas with them."

Wendy Schofield, 39, has been married to Mark, a production worker for Veka Plc in Burnley, for 15 years.

They also have a daughter Jessica, 13, and have lived in Brooksord Close in Burnley.

Wendy, a services clerk for GUS, said " I was really shocked when he was called up.

"I knew there was a possibility that this might happen but I was still not prepared.

"Hearing about it on television has been really difficult.

"There was one guy who was killed and I was really worried because they didn't give any names for two days.

"It has been really hard as we didn't know exactly when he was coming back.

"It is great now to have him back safe and sound and in time for Sam's birthday."

Private Damian Nightingale, 20, of Huncoat, was certainly glad to be back in East Lancashire as it was the first time he has been reunited with his fiance since proposing.

Damian asked Lucy Moorhouse, 19, to marry him when he found out he was going to Basra.

He said: "I proposed soon before we went so obviously I'm looking forward to seeing her.

"We are getting married in December and she has had to arrange everything while I have been away."